How Did College Football Players Know Which Nfl Team They Would Play For Prior To Inagural Nfl Draft?
I believe the first draft was in 1983. How was it determined prior to that, which player would go where? Was every guy free to sign wherever? If so…those Green bay Titles mean nothing right?
DLUVDAIM on Thu, 24th Dec 2009 3:28 pm
they are contacted by the team before the draft
super hombre on Thu, 24th Dec 2009 3:29 pm
They would just sign contracts so theoretically one team could have the best players every year I believe.
brosen_b on Thu, 24th Dec 2009 3:32 pm
Nope there has been an NFL draft way before Superbowls not sure if it has always been around but as far back as I can remember. according to nfl.com the first nfl draft was in 1936
Mike U on Thu, 24th Dec 2009 4:26 pm
The teams would go to the college players and sign them. It is sort of like when a regular person goes looking for a job. As far as every team having the best talent every year, before the draft, the NFL was not a stable place of employment. It paid lousy, had no insurance or retirement plan, no union, and the owners did not negotiate with each other like they do now. Most disputes between owners and players were handled by arbitrators. If a team was looked at as “buying” all the talent, another owner could file a suit against them alleging unfair trade practices.